Finnish Ukrainian Olha Bila raises money for children affected by the war by baking – “When I painted blue-yellow flowers on the cake, I was crying”

LVIV From Vantaa Olha Bilan my passion has always been fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Olha is from Lviv, Ukraine, and when she moved to Finland six years ago, she created a profession as a hobby and started making health cakes to order. They are free of gluten and added sugar, some are suitable for a vegan or keto diet.

Russia’s attack on Ukraine was a huge shock to Olha.

– I was paralyzed and I didn’t really know what to do and how to live here in Finland far from Ukraine. But then I got an idea of ​​how I can help both Ukrainians who have come to Finland and those who have stayed in Ukraine, and at the same time cheer myself up and find a job again.

Olha suggested to her customers that they could order cakes whose decoration is somehow related to Ukraine. Proceeds from the sale of cakes will go to support Ukrainian children affected by the war through charities.

– The idea was quite ingenious. The offer was taken up either by the relatives of the refugees or otherwise but supporting Ukraine, and they were really pleased with the cakes. I have never seen such joy.

The ideas for decorations came from Olha herself and her customers. In addition to blue-yellow cakes, he painted the coat of arms of Ukraine, traditional Ukrainian embroidery patterns, and even the Simpsons family waving Ukrainian flags on the cakes.

– I was happy myself. As I painted the blue-yellow flowers on the cake, I was close to crying with pleasure.

One customer asked to make a cake for his IT boy. This is how the cake was created, with the figure of Anonymous on the side of Ukraine. Right at the beginning of the war, the hacker group Anonymous declared a cyber war against Russia, and in three months managed to overthrow many Russian websites.

After moving to Finland, Olha and her Estonian-born husband have used to visit Lviv at least once a year. This year’s visit was already planned for Easter, but the war set new plans again.

The time of the trip was postponed a few times in the hope that the situation would calm down. However, the wish did not come true, but the couple still decided to travel to Ukraine.

– The parents did not try to persuade or refrain from coming. They just asked us to think carefully about whether we really wanted to come. Personally, I really wanted a lot. Since the beginning of the war, my wish has been to come to Lviv, to see my city, to see my relatives, says Olha.

The drive of more than 1,200 kilometers was completed without any problems with your own electric car, and the border crossing went quickly. The only practical problem in Ukraine was the lack of charging points.

Olha felt great about getting to her hometown and seeing the family, but there was more to the emotional spectrum than joy and happiness. Checkpoints on Ukrainian roads made it clear that the situation is serious and that what is being reported in the news is happening in real life.

– It was also sad to see sculptures and monuments in the city center covered with cloth or a metal protective frame in case of a missile hit.

The last few months have been a difficult time for the whole family. After all, the most important spiritual support is her husband Stan Marinets.

– After the interest period, the attack on Ukraine was like a cherry on the cake. I’m worried about my wife. He watches the news every day and thinks something is happening now. I have to calm him down all the time, says Marinets.

She helps her wife in the cake business where possible and works as a volunteer interpreter and translator for Ukrainian refugees. He has interpreted, for example, in the West Harbor, at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and in various reception centers.

In Finland, the couple intends to continue to help Ukrainians, for example with new cakes.

– During the trip to Ukraine, I had a lot of new ideas about Ukraine-themed cakes, which I will be realizing after returning to Finland, says Olha.